Is Acupuncture Better than Standard Pelvic Pain Treatment? Research Suggests Potential Edge
Chang SC, Hsu CH, Hsu CK, Yang SS, Chang SJ. The efficacy of acupuncture in managing patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Neurourol Urodyn. 2016 Jan 6. doi: 10.1002/nau.22958. [Epub ahead of print] In this study, researchers in Taiwan systematically reviewed seven previous published clinical trials of acupuncture. They found that acupuncture has promising efficacy for patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). The analysis included 4 trials comparing acupuncture to medical treatment (such as anti-inflammatory drugs), and 3 trials comparing acupuncture to a sham acupuncture procedure. Combined, the trials represented a total of nearly 500 patients. The results showed that acupuncture had a higher response rate versus sham acupuncture; moreover, patients receiving acupuncture had greater reductions in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), along with greater improvements in National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Index (NIH-CPSI). Likwise, acupuncture had a better response rate versus standard medical treatment. Based on these findings, the investigators suggested that acupuncture should be considered as a standard treatment option, if available to the patient.